Council Tax Cost Cutting: reduce your band and grab any discounts Discussion Area

guppy

HertsSaver wrote: »

You also have to factor the whole appeal process is very long winded. I have been working on my case for some 6 months and in my development, many neighbours appealed to the VOA, but when the original decision was upheld, the prospect of a tribunal daunted them.

Having been through this process, I am still stunned that the first appeal is heard by the same listing office who set the band.

Once my outcome is known I will post more of my experiences on here.

Best of luck with your Tribunal, HertsSaver, though I just saw its already taken place. Sounds like you have done your homework...

Just to clarify...although it might be the same Valuation Office that considered your appeal in the first instance, the Tribunal itself is an entirely independent body set up to give your case a fair hearing.

If the VO didn't believe they were right (correctly or not), they probably wouldn't take the case all the way to the Tribunal. Anyway, the Valuation Tribunal system means your local VO won't have the final say anyway

Good luck with the outcome.

stuarta99

Well I've had a questionaire through from my local VO and asking for proof that I think I'm in the wrong band.

Will fill it out and attach my findings. Probably not get anything but surely it's worth a go.

jimmy222

I have received a reply from the Valuation joint board stating that my request would have to have been received by 30th Nov 1993 and they are now..... 'unable to accept my communication as a valid proposal at this late stage'

any help appreciated !!

valorf

:money: small bungalow 2bed 1 bath pay the same tax as 3 bed 2 bath and garage tax office have refused me 3 times told me to get in touch with an mp i need help valorf

lincroft1710

jimmy222 - Assessor should still investigate band, no harm in contacting him and confirming this. But if after investigation he says band correct that's it.

lincroft1710

valorf - because of band widths it is quite possible for both properties to be correctly in same band, it is also possible that other property may be in wrong band. All an MP can/will do is write to VOA asking them to reinvestigate and VOA will go through motions and write back to him saying band correct.

If it's been looked at 3 times, it's probably correct and even if you still disagree there's not much you can do about it.

tracey_bates

MY CURRENT COUNCIL TAX BAND IS (A) BUT I HAVE DONE THE TWO TESTS AND IT SAYS I SHOULD BE (B).DOES THIS MEAN IM PAYING TO MUCH OR NOT ENOUGH?? SORRY 4 BEING THICK BUT DONT UNDERSTAND IT SO COULD SOMEONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHATS WHAT!!:rotfl:

stuarta99

Tracey,

If you are in A you are paying less than B, so if I were you, I would keep quiet about what you have found.

SHAZZYBE_2

Hi
Can anyone help me. I live in a council house and am in band d. I have checked and so are my neighbours. How does this work as we are all council tenents and the nearest house that is owned is different to ours. I am not sure how it works but we are all paying band d and I think this may be too high. I would be really gratefull for any help as we pay alot of money each month and get very few services for it. Thanks

lincroft1710

Shazzybe - firstly council tax is not paid in relation to "services", it is a tax on property which goes towards funding council(s) spending, a large part of CT goes towards education.

Your CT band is based on value of property as at 1 Apr 1991 (Eng and Scot) 1 Apr 2003 (Wales). If you live in Eng/Wales contact Valuation Office Agency, Scotland - local Assessor. Relevant website is worth reading.

If you have lived in house less than 6 months you can make proposal (see rel websites) and if you disagree with their decision you have right to have matter heard by independent Valuation Tribunal.

Longer than 6 months, you can only ask for rebanding and you need to give good reasons why you think band is wrong,e.g. nearby similar house in lower band. Paying a lot of money is NOT a reason, so don't mention it and VOA/Assessor's decision is final so if they say no there are no rights of appeal